Retaining means for toolheads



Oct. 4, 1949. v. IAVARONE I RETAINING MEANS FOR TOOLHEADS Filed April 8, 1946 INVENTOR. VINCENT IAVARON E g... N\ S-\- g g g A T TORN EYS Patented Oct. 4, 1949 aim- PATETN T GE zclaims.

This invention relates to hammer and handle assemblies, such as are used on axes, picks, hammers, and similar tools.

The broad object of this invention is to provide a locking device which may be adapted to any type of tool in which a handle is inserted in a socket for the manipulation thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hammer assembly which will remain safe despite prolonged use and which will not come apart while being swung.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for quickly disassembling the work member from the handle to facilitate storage or handle replacement.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herein illustrated, described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, are illustrated two forms of embodiment of the invention, in which drawings similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure l is a sectional view of a complete embodiment of this invention, with certain portions shown in elevation.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the spring lock.

Figure 3 is a vertical section illustrating another form of spring lock mounted in a handle.

Figure 4 is a plan view of another form of handle with its internal structure shown in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, l0 represents a claw hammer head having the well known socket ll therein to receive the handle l2. The central portion of the walls of the socket II are provided with opposed teeth 13 which are buttressed in a direction away from the handle grip. The showing of the teeth l3 in Figure 1 is exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the invention. In actual practice a larger number of smaller teeth are utilized so that there is no possibility of the arm I! coming to rest between two teeth l3 when the handle l2 is forced through the throat H. The same thing applies to the showing of the teeth in Figure 3.

The hammer handle I2 is provided with one or more recesses l4 spaced from the tool head end thereof. These recesses l4 line up with the teeth 13 when the handle I2 is inserted in the socket II.

A spring member l5, shown in detail in Figure 2, is inserted in each of the handle recesses im- ,ea dsii fiam ib r i fa r ot {the 'armsfll, qlsfext nd n tne eiie a1 search oftheharidlegrip. Wlieniiis'ertdin he aiidie recess It the arm I! of the spring riieiiiber W5 5iten'd'sldyoiidthe tear-her handle I2.

When the handle I2 is forced into the socket l l of the hammer head In, the springs l5 having been placed as described above, the arm l8 of the spring member will be urged against the socket wall and engage the teeth l3 thereonl The result is a locking device which prevents the hammer head from flying off.

Two holes I9, 20, shown in Figure 1, are provided in the hammer head for releasing the lock in the event that handle replacement is desired. These holes I9, 20 are drilled from the under side of the hammer head and enter the socket H at a point just above the tooth upon which the spring arm I! rests. When the hammer head I0 is to be removed it is only necessary to insert two thin rods or nails into the holes I9, 20 and force them against the spring 15. This will compress the spring arms l1, l8 and release the lock mechanism.

The shape of the handle l2 of some implements such as picks, small hammers, etc. makes it unwise to cut recesses 14 in the front and rear edge thereof, as shown in Figure 1. It is therefore within the contemplation of this invention to out said recesses M in the sides of the handle, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 4. Moreover, it is conceivable that only one recess and one spring member may be used in certain instances.

An alternative form of spring 2| is shown in Figure 3. This construction includes a narrow transverse slot 22 cut in the upper part of the hammer handle l2. The spring 2| is then inserted in the slot 22 and the projecting arms '23 bent downward in the direction of the handle grip. Recesses 24 are provided in the handle l2 to receive the spring arms 23 so that the assembled handle 12 and spring 2| may be forced into the hammer socket II. The construction of the hammer head in this variation of the invention remains the same and incorporates the abovementioned teeth l3, socket II and release holes While the embodiment of this invention shown in the drawings illustrates its application to a claw hammer, it is within the purview of this invention to apply it to any tool in which a handle is inserted in a socket for the manipulation thereof. In this category ar to be included fihovels, pitchforks, trowels, etc.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a work implement having a socket and a handle insertable therein, a plurality of buttress teeth formed in said socket, a spring member retained by said handle and adapted to engage in at least one of said teeth to prevent removal of said handle from said implement and means comprising a plurality of bores in the work implement to admit a pin into each of the said sockets whereby the said spring may be compressed to release said locked handle.

2. In a work implement having a socket and a handle insertable therein, opposed buttressed teeth formed in said socket, a plurality of spring members retained by said handle within recesses therein and adapted to engage at least one of said teeth to prevent removal of said handle from said implement and means comprising a plurality of bores in the work implement to admit a pin into each of the said sockets whereby the said springs may be compressed to release said locked handle.

VINCENT IAVARONE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 684,018 Wellman Oct. 8, 1901 851,065 Cheney Apr. 23, 1907 936,592 Wilson Oct. 12, 1909 954,669" Clarke Apr. 12, 1910 1,215,228 Wilde Feb. 6, 1917 1,291,360 Babcock Jan. 14, 1919 1,716,605 Shepard June 11, 1929 1,851, 11 Powers Mar. 29, 1932 15 2,182,031 Montgomery Dec. 5, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 381,955 Germany Apr. 22, 1922 

